GERRY THORNLEY
Whereas Keith Earls has been ruled out of the Six Nations in its entirety, Tommy Bowe and Donnacha Ryan should each have a couple of matches apiece with their provinces to force their way into contention for Ireland's pivotal third game of the championship away to England on March 22nd.
Both players are targeting the intervening two rounds of Rabo Pro12 games after recovering from groin and knee injuries which have sidelined them since the end of October and November respectively.
Track record
Ulster host the Ospreys on Friday week and the Scarlets a week later, while Munster are at home to Cardiff on Saturday week and Zebre seven days subsequently.
Given their proven track record and experience, they could yet force their way into the plans of Joe Schmidt, who has publicly stated that the Irish management are treating the first two home games against Scotland and Wales over the next two weekends as the first stage of the Six Nations, after which there is scope for refreshing the squad.
Despite being troubled by the groin strain which has since sidelined him during the November window, Bowe’s performances were highly regarded by Schmidt for his work in defence and under the high ball, not to mention his status as a first-choice Lions Test wing on two tours.
Unfortunately, the knee ligament damage which the in-form but unlucky Keith Earls sustained in Munster's pool finale at home to Edinburgh will sideline him for six to eight weeks, so "he will miss the entire tournament" according to Mick Kearney.
Confirmed
The Irish team manager also confirmed that, not surprisingly, Sean O'Brien will almost certainly miss the remainder of the season given the flanker's estimated recovery from his shoulder surgery is still at another four months.
Against all of that, the Irish team manager Kearney reported that all current members of the 34-man squad for the opening two games trained fully at their Carton House base yesterday for what he described as “a very positive injury update”.
